Wins, losses and draws – all in a week of GAA activity in The Premier County. Cork’s Treaty surrender – Limericks warning.
That lull between the closing curtain on the league campaign and the thunderous arrival of the championship can feel like hurling’s version of a long exhale — a strange, restless pause where supporters shuffle their feet and wait for the real fireworks to begin. Thankfully, the calendar still throws us a few tasty morsels to chew on. The Allianz National Hurling League Final offered a welcome distraction, while the outings of the U20 and minor hurlers provided enough intrigue to keep the county’s sporting appetite well fed.
Wins and Losses
Victory at underage level always brings a lift, and two wins on the board will sit nicely with supporters this week. The minors lit up FBD Semple Stadium on Friday, outscoring Clare in a rip-roaring, high-octane clash and finishing with four points to spare after a lively and free-flowing contest.
The U20s, however, took a more nerve-jangling route to victory. Their one-point win over Waterford in Fraher Field, Dungarvan on Wednesday evening was as surprising as it was fortunate. Having battled bravely into a stiff breeze in the first half and gone in level with the Déise, many expected the Premier engine to roar into life after the break and steamroll their way to a comfortable win. Instead, the gears seemed to grind. Rather than going for the jugular, the side retreated into their shell, working cautiously from the back and allowing Waterford to stay in the hunt right to the final whistle.
The narrow escape has sparked plenty of grumbling in the stands and online, but management will point to the only stat that really matters — a perfect start to the campaign, achieved without several key players. It’s worth remembering that this same side stumbled out of the blocks last year before going on to claim All-Ireland glory. There are bigger tests — and bigger prizes — waiting down the road.
The U20 footballers weren’t as fortunate, falling to Waterford on Friday evening despite looking reasonably comfortable at the halfway mark. Unfortunately, matches are decided over sixty minutes, not thirty, and once the Déise found their rhythm in the second half they pulled away with authority, leaving Tipperary chasing shadows.
Draws
Excitement rippled across the county with the announcement of the FBD Insurance hurling and football championship draws — a sure sign that championship summer is stirring into life. There is always a so-called “group of death,” but this year the senior hurling championship looks like it has several.
Group 1 reads like a heavyweight battle: Sarsfields, Holycross Ballycahill, Kilruane MacDonagh and newly promoted Upperchurch Drombane — no easy evenings there. Group 2 is just as fierce, with champions Loughmore Castleiney joined by Moycarkey Borris, Clonoulty Rossmore and Borris-Ileigh in what promises to be a bruising contest. Group 3 offers a fascinating North Tipperary double-header as Kiladangan and Roscrea collide with Drom-Inch and Cashel King Cormacs, while Group 4 sees another double-north pairing -Nenagh Éire Óg and Toomevara, with Brackens and Mullinahone set to lock horns in a battle for survival and progress.
Trying to predict outcomes at this stage is a fool’s errand. Injuries, holidays, county commitments and the unpredictable rhythm of a long summer can turn any group on its head. One thing is certain though — wherever Tipperary supporters turn, there will be plenty to keep them glued to the sidelines.
The Premier Intermediate championship looks just as explosive. Like the Dan Breen Cup, the Seamus Ó Riain Cup promises heat, tension and tight finishes. Gortnahoe Glengoole, Silvermines, Sean Treacy’s and Moyne Templetuohy headline Group 1, while Swans, St Mary’s, Sarsfields and Killenaule form a dangerous-looking Group 2. Swans, having contested the last two county finals, will naturally be among the favourites — but the big question remains: do they have the legs to go one better this time?
Group 3, featuring Lorrha Dorrha, Moneygall, Burgess and Templederry, could yet throw up a surprise package, while Group 4 — Boherlahan Dualla, Éire Óg Annacarty, Golden Kilfeacle and Ballina — has all the ingredients for a tightly fought scrap.
The senior football championship, meanwhile, brings its own intrigue. Thurles Sarsfields make their long-awaited debut and face a stern examination in Group 3 alongside Kilsheelan Kilcash, JK Brackens and Ballyporeen. Champions Commercials sit in Group 1 with Ballina, Aherlow and Ardfinnan, while Loughmore Castleiney line out in Group 2 with Upperchurch Drombane, Moyle Rovers and Grangemockler Ballyneale. On paper it looks fiercely competitive, and if history tells us anything, there will be shocks, upsets and dramatic evenings before the dust settles.
County League games continue to tick along in the background, but they are little more than a warm-up act compared to the white heat of championship. Their real value lies in unearthing fresh talent — a young hurler finding his stride, a new footballer staking a claim, a squad player quietly forcing his way into the conversation. The challenge for the new faces is simple but ruthless: make yourself impossible to drop. Impress enough now, and when the heavy artillery comes back, you won’t be the one stepping aside.
The League Final.
Having lost their league opener, Limerick are now Allianz champions. John Kiely’s men turned back the clock and delivered a fine showing to relieve Cork of their crown. This statement victory issues a warning to all – Limerick are in full flow. By the time Tipp meet them in the last round of the Munster round robin, a lot more will be known about their mentality. Cork, by contrast, approach their opener with us in two weeks time, with plenty of questions hanging over them.
Footballers Nod.
The Tipp footballers kick off their championship campaign next weekend against Waterford on away soil. They will need to be at their best and cannot take anything for granted. They should get the job done, all going well. Defeat would be a real setback.